In the fifth T20 match against New Zealand, former captain Babar Azam was insisted to play despite suffering from groin injury.

According to details, Pakistan faced defeat against New Zealand in the T20 series by 4-1. After the failure in the initial four matches, the threat of a clean sweep was looming, in such a situation, when star batter Babar Azam said that he is suffering from groin injury and may not be able to participate in the match, the team management was shaken.

However he was insisted to play but despite the dropped catch, Babar scored 13 runs on 24 balls and got out. He almost did not field in half innings. The excellent performance of the bowlers led Pakistan to victory by 42 runs and the threat of 5-0 was also averted. Babar remained the top scorer in the series with 213 runs including 3 fifties.

After playing this match on January 21, the former captain traveled 11206 kilometers and reached Dhaka, on 23rd January and participated from Rangpur Riders against Sylhet Strikers in the Bangladesh Premier League. As an opener he scored 56 runs and secured victory for his team in a match that was almost lost.

Babar's close sources say that the injury was not too serious, since the Pakistan team had lost the series, Babar wanted to rest. He also had in mind that this would give an opportunity to a young player to play, however, when the team management insisted, Babar played in the match.